Experts in Ovarian Cancer Care
If you have ovarian cancer, your outcomes are likely to be better if a gynecologic oncologist treats you from the beginning. Fred Hutch Cancer Center has more gynecologic oncologists than any other medical center or clinic in the Pacific Northwest. Your Fred Hutch gynecologic oncologist and pathologist specialize in finding out the stage and specific features of your disease. They will design a custom treatment plan to get the best possible outcome for you.
Our ovarian cancer experts provide all standard therapies for this disease. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery. Our physicians and researchers also do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these trials, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
As part of our holistic approach, we’ll connect you with a group of world-class professionals for support, like registered dietitians, physical therapists and psychologists. We integrate supportive care services into your cancer treatment.
Where you are treated matters. Coming to Fred Hutch after an ovarian cancer diagnosis means you are now at the center of one of the most experienced, research-driven, comprehensive cancer care centers in the country.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer usually begins on the surface of the ovary. The ovaries are the organs that make eggs and female hormones.
In the United State, about 20,000 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. There are different types of ovarian cancer and most people with the most common type of ovarian cancer — epithelial ovarian cancer — are not diagnosed until the disease is advanced and has spread to the abdomen or beyond. Advanced disease is more difficult to treat.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
There are more than 30 types of ovarian cancer. They are grouped into three categories named for the cells in the ovary where the cancer begins. The majority of ovarian cancers are epithelial carcinoma, which begins on the surface of the ovary.
Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
About 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial ovarian carcinomas. In this type of cancer, the tumor starts in the surface tissue on the outside of the ovary. The risk of epithelial ovarian cancer increases with age, especially after age 50.
Malignant Germ Cell Tumors
These tumors start from the cells that make eggs. Germ cell tumors are rare, making up only 5% of all ovarian cancers. They are typically diagnosed in women under age 30. Most are found at an early stage, and survival rates are high.
Malignant Sex Cord Stromal Tumors
These tumors start in the connective tissues that hold the ovary together and make hormones. Sex cord stromal tumors are relatively rare. They account for 5% of ovarian cancers and are generally less aggressive (slower growing, less likely to spread) than other ovarian tumors.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Ovarian Cancer Care
At Fred Hutch we combine compassionate care with innovative research to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. We’re driven by the urgency of our patients, the hope of our community and our passion for discovery to pursue scientific breakthroughs and healthier lives for every person.
Ovarian Cancer FAQ
Your primary care provider is a good place to start if you have questions or concerns about your risk of getting cancer. They can also help with any symptoms that might be from cancer or another condition. Before you visit your provider, write down your questions. Bring the list to your appointment.
If you’re concerned about risk, here are some questions you may want to ask:
- Do I have any risk factors for cancer?
- Is there any reason to think I’m at higher risk than the average person?
- If I am at higher risk, what does this mean for me? Do I need any tests or procedures to check for cancer even if I feel fine?
- Is there anything I can do to lower my risk?
If you have symptoms that concern you, here are some questions to ask:
- What could be causing my symptoms?
- Do these symptoms mean I might have a serious condition?
- How can we find out the cause? Do I need any tests?
- What should I do if my symptoms don’t get better or if I get new symptoms?
Ovarian cancer starts when cells in the ovary grow out of control. Normally, cells in the body grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells get old or damaged, they die and are replaced. Sometimes, this normal process breaks down. Abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t, forming tumors. Some tumors are cancer, and others are benign (noncancerous).
Ovarian cancer spreads by growing into, or invading, nearby tissues. If the cancer cells invade nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels, they can travel through the lymph or blood to distant parts of the body. Then they can form new tumors in these places.
When physicians and scientists talk about cancer survival rates, they typically mean the percentage of people expected to survive their cancer for at least five years after being diagnosed. (The rate doesn’t include the risk of dying during that time for some other reason.) Overall, the relative five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer in the United States is about 52%, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.
These rates come from looking at a large, varied group of people. The chance of surviving cancer at least five years can vary greatly from one person to another. It depends on many factors, like how far the cancer has spread. Your Fred Hutch care team can explain how statistics like survival rates might apply to you.
Learn more about ovarian cancer survival rates.
The Fred Hutch patient and family education team works with other Fred Hutch experts to create reliable resources and select materials from trusted cancer organizations. Find a resource.
